OCSiAl to set up “world's largest” nanotube production unit in Luxembourg

Luxembourg: Advanced materials manufacturer OCSiAl is set to build a production facility for single wall carbon nanotubes in Luxembourg.

In a 5 July statement, the Luxembourgish materials supplier announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Luxembourg’s ministries of economy and finance to collaborate on the construction of the 250-tonnes unit and a centre for applied nanotechnology.

The investment, estimated at around €80-100 million, is expected to create up to 200 highly qualified jobs in R&D, manufacturing, sales and marketing, maintenance and support services.

OCSiAl said it had already selected a plot of land in Luxembourg’s Differdange region, proposed by the Luxembourg ministry of the economy, as the site for its project.

“Our choice for the location of the world’s largest facility was determined by the fact that Luxembourg is a highly industry-friendly environment and it is known for its strong commitment to assisting the development of the most innovative technologies,” said Konstantin Notman, CEO OCSiAl Europe.

“This project is in line with our economic diversification policy, which focuses on the sector of innovative materials and on research-intensive activities,” said Etienne Schneider, the deputy prime minister and minister of the economy.

OCSiAl claims that it is the only company that is allowed to produce and commercialise single wall carbon nanotubes in industrial volumes in Europe.

In September 2016, its core product, Tuball single wall carbon nanotubes, became the first in that category to be registered under the EU’s REACH regulations.

The material contains 80% and more of single wall carbon nanotubes and can be used as a universal additive, enhancing strength, electrical and/or thermal conductivity of most materials, including polymer composites, rubbers, metals and many others.

In addition to the synthesis facility, OCSiAl said it intended to construct a centre for applied nanotechnology focused on industrial solutions for composite, elastomer and thermoplastic materials.